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This time of year we are constantly dealing with cold weather and cloudy days, which can have serious effects on mental health TOLEDO, Ohio — Despite it being the holiday season, experts at NAMI of Greater Toledo said suicide rates and mood disorders are on the rise. This time of year we are constantly dealing with cold weather and cloudy days, which can have serious effects on mental health. "People really are feeling the stress of not only the holidays, and the shorter days, and less light but just the pressures of everyday humanity," said Marriah Kornowa, executive director of NAMI. NAMI encourages said seasonal depression is a real mood disorder, clinically diagnosed as seasonal affective disorder. It stems from the shorter days and less sun light that we normally see in the fall and winter months. And they also said it is one of the reasons that there's a larger risk for suicide during the holidays. Marriah Kornowa urges the pubic to look out for warnings such as: - Change in behavior - Change in appearance - Isolation and sadness  - Lack of energy  - Lack of interest in activities and normal routine  Kornowa said if you spot the warning signs in yourself, or others, don't hesitate to reach out and find support.  "These are times to step in and say, I know this time of year is rough you've had loss. Or, our financial stability this time of year is stressed. So, just really making sure that we pay attention and sort of slow down and just check in on people," Kornowa said. NAMI recorded 90 percent of Americans who die by suicide are living with mental illness and 47 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 struggle with depression and anxiety.  That's almost half of the population of young adults in the U.S.  Kornowa said mental illness can be treated and managed. If you are down, she said start by being aware of your thought patterns. Fight to shift your thoughts from negatives into positives.  #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub If you start having suicidal thoughts, make an appointment with your doctor and be honest with how you feel. Kornowa also said to partner with your family members or friends to seek help. There are even one-on-one encouragement and support groups are available through NAMI. The leaders at NAMI believe a person experiencing suicidal ideation has the power to be their own first line of defense. "It's important to take care of yourself this time of year, we are always giving for everybody else. It is about the spirit of the holidays, but what are you doing to take care of yourself?" Kornowa said. "Go into the holidays prepared, talking about boundaries with your family, and just recognizing and honoring your own feelings." Read the full article

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Black adults living with long COVID pointed to challenges with their physical health – rather than their mental health – when asked to describe their long-COVID symptoms. That is one key finding from our new study, published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. When we examined the data further, however, we found that those living with long COVID in the U.S. had significantly more anxiety, depression, hopelessness, psychosis and suicidal thoughts than those without long COVID. In other words, while participants clearly explained how long COVID impaired their physical health, they were less likely to attribute their recent mental health struggles to any issues stemming from their experiences of long COVID. For the study, we asked nearly 500 Black adults in the U.S. to respond to a series of psychological questionnaires measuring various mental health outcomes in the spring of 2022. All participants, regardless of their long-COVID status, provided responses to these survey questions. Next, we asked study participants to describe their long-COVID symptoms by using their own words to type short phrases or sentences. When analyzing their written responses, we found that participants most often pointed to physical or cognitive health conditions such as chest pain, troubled breathing, prolonged coughing, headaches, memory loss, impaired vision or smell, and sharp bodily pains. This mismatch between how individuals described their long-COVID symptoms versus what they reported in the survey highlights the importance of collecting multiple forms of data – particularly when studying complex topics such as long COVID among marginalized populations. We used qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques to identify points of overlap and divergence across the two data sources. These approaches align with our work as suicide prevention and preventive medicine  researchers, where we study topics at the intersection of race, mental health and physical health promotion. Why it matters During the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Americans were more likely to work in the service industry or in front-line positions, and in turn were at greater risk for COVID-19 exposures and infections. Research confirms that members of this group also experienced disproportionately higher rates of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths during the earliest waves of the pandemic. Additionally, Black communities across the U.S. faced structural barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines once immunizations became available. One might anticipate that the cumulative impact of these disparate experiences would lead researchers, clinicians and government officials to prioritize the study of long COVID among vulnerable populations. This, unfortunately, has not been the case. Black Americans’ mental and physical health experiences have gone largely understudied within existing long-COVID research. Getting a long-COVID diagnosis or help for the condition has been especially challenging for people of color. What other research is being done Researchers are currently focused on understanding the underlying biological pathways leading to long COVID, along with potential biological markers that predispose some individuals to long COVID. Yet much of this work does not account for differences that may emerge either within or across race groups. Amid the rapidly evolving research on long COVID, several scholars are working to understand both the development and progression of long COVID in various communities across the globe. #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub What still isn’t known We analyzed surveys from only one point in time and would need to collect multiple surveys over an extended amount of time before being able to determine whether long COVID causes negative mental health outcomes, or vice versa. As a result, the findings from our study should be understood as correlational, meaning that while there is a statistically relevant relationship between these variables, we cannot rule out the potential influence of other external factors that may also affect Black adults’ mental health during the pandemic. More research is needed to understand how long COVID is linked to psychological outcomes and mental health over time. While the U.S. COVID-19 public health emergency ended in May 2023, the mental and physical health needs of those living with long COVID are ongoing. We, therefore, plan to continue examining how long COVID is affecting people across different age, gender, economic and other important demographic groups in order to respond to the urgent need for evidence-based research and treatment options. Read the full article

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Suicide rates in the United States are highest among American Indian, Alaska Native, and white populations. However, youth suicide rates are rising in African American and Asian communities. Suicide, the taking of one’s own life, can have profound effects on families and communities. For various reasons, suicide may be more prevalent in some communities than others. In the United States, suicide rates can vary depending on race or ethnicity. Reasons for the disparities in suicide rates among races include: - access to mental health resources - discrimination or trauma specific to racial identity - socioeconomic and systemic issues - cultural differences Understanding that different communities and unique identities exist within each group and ethnicity, no specific reason will apply to everyone within a group. Still, we can identify specific trends that are more prevalent within each community. Suicide prevention If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you’re not alone. Help is available right now: - Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day at 988. - Text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. - Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide. #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub How do suicide rates differ by race and ethnicity? Suicide rates are much higher in some racial and ethnic groups in the United States than in others. The highest rates are among non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native populations — nearly four times higher than the rates among Asian American populations. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source from 2022 reveals the following age-adjusted suicide rates: Race or ethnicityDeaths by suicide per 100,000 peoplenon-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native27.1non-Hispanic white17.6non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander14.3non-Hispanic multiracial10.5non-Hispanic Black9.0Hispanic8.1non-Hispanic Asian6.9 But numbers don’t tell the entire story. Beneath these figures lie other emerging trends that reveal a bigger picture. And within each community, specific factors contribute to these disparities. How have suicide rates changed in recent years? After years of increases across all races, suicide rates decreased Trusted Source in 2019 and 2020. However, rates began to increase again in 2021, especially among people of color and young people. Suicide rates in American Indian and Alaska Native populations American Indian and Alaska Native populations have the highest suicide rate among ethnic groups in the United States, according to the CDC Trusted Source. Still, that data may be incomplete due to cultural reasons. Nearly three-quarters Trusted Source of American Indian and Alaska Native people who died by suicide in 2022 were 44 years old or younger. According to the Office of Minority Health (OMH), suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34 years in this population. The OMH also notes that high school students in this population were 40% more likely to attempt suicide in 2023. These high suicide rates may have strong links to the long history of systemic oppression American Indian and Alaska Native communities have faced. Research from 2022 links suicides and suicide attempts in these communities to historical trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A 2022 study Trusted Source from the CDC found that American Indian and Alaska Native people who died by suicide were more likely than people of other races to: - have alcohol use disorder - use amphetamines or cannabis (but not other drugs) - experience relationship problems or significant loss Only about 2 in 5 had a diagnosis of a mental health condition. Experts think this may be due to a lack of accessible mental health services, particularly in rural areas. Suicide rates in white populations Non-Hispanic white people in the United States have a suicide rate a bit higher than the national average. This is largely due to higher suicide rates among white males 25 to 64 years old Trusted Source, particularly in those with a high school education or less. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, more than two-thirds of all suicide deaths in the United States in 2022 were white males. Still, in 2022, white people were the only racial group to show a decline in overall suicide rates, dropping 3.9%Trusted Source from 2018. The recent decline reverses an 18-year trend Trusted Source of rising suicide rates among white U.S. residents. Suicide rates in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations Historically, people who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander have been grouped with Asian Americans for data collection purposes. But several distinct communities exist within these definitions. Acknowledging the differences may be key to understanding the disparity in suicide rates between these groups. For example, a 2024 study found that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adolescents were much more likely to have suicidal thoughts than youth with Chinese or Indian backgrounds. Researchers also found significant differences in rates between young people who identified with one race (Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander) and those who identified as multiracial. According to a 2022 study, suicide risk factors for youth in this population include: - a history of self-harm - using illegal drugs - experiencing bullying Researchers also found that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island youth were more than twice as likely to attempt suicide than their white peers when depressive symptoms were present. Study authors say this stresses the importance of screening for depressive symptoms in this population. Suicide rates in Black and African American populations Suicide rates among non-Hispanic Black people in the United States rose 19.2%Trusted Source from 2018 to 2021, the second highest among any racial group. This was largely fueled by an increase in Black youth suicide rates, which rose 36.6% in the same time frame. In 2021, Black high school students were 60% more likely than their white peers to attempt suicide. While Black people die from suicide at about half the rate as white people, the rates are almost equal among those 15 to 19 years old. And while males account for about 4 in 5Trusted Source suicides, including in Black populations, the rise in rates is highest among Black females ages 15 to 24 years. A 2021 study observed key differences among varying age groups of Black youth with respect to risk factors and methods used. For example: - In children under age 12, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was a significant risk factor. - Youth ages 12 to 14 were more likely to experience relationship problems and attempt more lethal means. - Youth ages 15 to 17 were more likely to have depression or more complex social problems and use firearms. Experts recommend targeted approaches to reach the youth who most need care. They also acknowledge that Black youth are less likely to receive mental health care due to several factors, including access and stigma. Suicide rates in Hispanic populations According to 2017 research, Hispanic people often face stressors that are typical risk factors for suicide, such as socioeconomic challenges, migration, and discrimination. Still, Hispanic people in the United States die by suicide at less than half Trusted Source the rate of white people. Researchers attribute this to two prevalent characteristics: religion, which plays an important role in many Hispanic communities, and familism, which is a cultural ideal that places family above self. However, suicide rates have been rising steadily, especially among Hispanic females. Researchers also found that rates increased with later generations. For example, suicide rates are lower in the first generation of immigrants than in the next generation. New immigrants still face unique challenges to their mental health. Among Hispanic immigrants and their relatives, a 2022 article notes that restrictive immigration policies, deportation fears, and anti-immigrant sentiment can contribute to worsening mental health and possibly an increase in suicidal ideation. Among this group, risk factors for suicidal thoughts include: - experiencing discrimination - lower ethnic identity - greater family conflict - low sense of belonging A concern in the Hispanic community is the lack of culturally competent mental health and suicide prevention programs. Language proficiency can often be a barrier, with 28% of Hispanic people in the United States not having proficiency in English. Suicide rates in Asian populations Asian Americans have the lowest suicide rates among major racial groups in the United States, though rates can vary significantly between subgroups. However, like with other racial groups, suicide rates among Asian youth are rising sharply, especially for females. Research from 2024 found that Asian American people who die by suicide are less likely to have risk factors common in other racial groups. For example, they’re less likely to be male, married, or use alcohol or drugs. They’re also less likely to have mental health, relationship, or legal problems. This can create challenges in identifying people who may need help. However, known risk factors in this racial group include: - living in disadvantaged communities - residential instability - mixed race or ethnicity A unique risk factor in this population, especially for women, is the model minority myth. This myth creates a false standard for success for many people of Asian descent and can be a significant stressor. Identity and suicide rates: Other factors Race can often be an important aspect of who we are, but it’s not all that we are. We all identify with several groups based on culture, gender, location, interests, and more. Other factors related to your identity that may influence suicide risk include Trusted Source: - being LGBTQ+ - being a veteran - having a disability - working in certain industries - living in certain areas (the Mountain West and Alaska have the highest rates) Read more: “Who Is at Risk of Suicide?” How can we address racial and ethnic disparities in suicide rates? Some of the reasons for the racial disparities in suicide rates are deep-rooted and systemic. Overcoming these challenges would not only require action and advocacy from family members, community members, and healthcare professionals but also structural changes from government, institutional, and corporate entities. These include: - improving access to mental health services, such as strengthening telehealth services - providing cultural competency training to mental health professionals - improving racial and ethnic diversity among mental health professionals - investing in targeted and equitable mental health and suicide prevention programs - culturally adapting existing suicide prevention strategies - increased funding for youth crisis intervention teams Experts also recommend Trusted Source advocating for structural changes that improve economic and social conditions, which can have a significant effect on suicide risk. In our own families and communities, we can be mindful of the unique risk factors that lead to higher suicide rates and facilitate atmospheres where people feel safe to talk about their mental health. Read more: “My Friend Is Talking About Suicide. How Can I Help?” Takeaway Suicide rates have fluctuated over the years, but significant disparities across racial and ethnic groups have persisted. The widening gap in suicide rates, especially among young people, underscores the need for targeted, culturally competent suicide prevention strategies. Awareness of the complex factors that contribute to the unique risk factors for suicide across diverse racial groups is an important starting point. Read the full article

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This time of year we are constantly dealing with cold weather and cloudy days, which can have serious effects on mental health TOLEDO, Ohio — Despite it being the holiday season, experts at NAMI of Greater Toledo said suicide rates and mood disorders are on the rise. This time of year we are constantly dealing with cold weather and cloudy days, which can have serious effects on mental health. "People really are feeling the stress of not only the holidays, and the shorter days, and less light but just the pressures of everyday humanity," said Marriah Kornowa, executive director of NAMI. NAMI encourages said seasonal depression is a real mood disorder, clinically diagnosed as seasonal affective disorder. It stems from the shorter days and less sun light that we normally see in the fall and winter months. And they also said it is one of the reasons that there's a larger risk for suicide during the holidays. Marriah Kornowa urges the pubic to look out for warnings such as: - Change in behavior - Change in appearance - Isolation and sadness  - Lack of energy  - Lack of interest in activities and normal routine  Kornowa said if you spot the warning signs in yourself, or others, don't hesitate to reach out and find support.  "These are times to step in and say, I know this time of year is rough you've had loss. Or, our financial stability this time of year is stressed. So, just really making sure that we pay attention and sort of slow down and just check in on people," Kornowa said. NAMI recorded 90 percent of Americans who die by suicide are living with mental illness and 47 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 struggle with depression and anxiety.  That's almost half of the population of young adults in the U.S.  Kornowa said mental illness can be treated and managed. If you are down, she said start by being aware of your thought patterns. Fight to shift your thoughts from negatives into positives.  #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub If you start having suicidal thoughts, make an appointment with your doctor and be honest with how you feel. Kornowa also said to partner with your family members or friends to seek help. There are even one-on-one encouragement and support groups are available through NAMI. The leaders at NAMI believe a person experiencing suicidal ideation has the power to be their own first line of defense. "It's important to take care of yourself this time of year, we are always giving for everybody else. It is about the spirit of the holidays, but what are you doing to take care of yourself?" Kornowa said. "Go into the holidays prepared, talking about boundaries with your family, and just recognizing and honoring your own feelings." Read the full article

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Why phonics trumps the popular “balanced literacy” approach Writer: Caroline Miller Clinical Expert: Laura Phillips, PsyD, ABPdNen Español https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd_DKQvomio&ab_channel=ChildMindInstitute - Teaching kids to read, not to guess - What approaches are NOT phonics-based? - What to look for in a reading program - Reading is the most important skill children need to gain in the first few years of school. But how it’s taught can have a big impact on how well they succeed. Some kids will learn to read easily no matter what the curriculum is. But many others — including those with dyslexia — need a specific kind of instruction to learn to read effectively. And many schools aren’t using that kind of instruction — or aren’t using enough. Teaching kids to read, not to guess The best way to teach reading is called systematic phonics-based instruction. It’s based on decades of brain science. Unlike speaking, reading is not a skill that kids’ brains are hard-wired to develop. Learning to read requires several different parts of the brain all working together. When kids are learning to read, they are learning to recognize printed letters and match them to specific sounds. This process is called “phonics.” Learning to do this quickly takes lots of practice, and it works best if kids master simple letter-sound combinations before they learn more complicated ones. For example, kids might learn that “ai” makes a long “A” sound. Then they would practice recognizing that pattern in different words. This gradual, structured approach is what systematic phonics-based instruction means. They learn phonics in small steps, with lots of practice, building from simple sounds to more complex ones. And they practice reading using books that contain mostly the letter-sound patterns they already know. #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub What approaches are NOT phonics-based? Reading approaches called “whole language” or “balanced literacy” are ineffective for many children, including those with dyslexia, explains Laura Phillips, PsyD, a clinical neuropsychologist. “Whole language” approaches are based on the idea that kids can best learn to read “naturally” by exposure to written language that is relevant and motivating to them. When trying to read new words, they are taught to look for clues to their meaning in pictures or in the context of the story rather than sounding them out. But this draws their attention away from what they should be focusing on, says Dr. Phillips, which is the letters and the sounds. “Balanced literacy” is a curriculum that combines different components of reading instruction — including, phonics, vocabulary and comprehension. But Dr. Phillips argues that there is not enough phonics instruction in balanced literacy for many kids to learn to read proficiently, especially kids with dyslexia.  What to look for in a reading program How can parents tell if the reading program in their child’s classroom is phonics-based? Here are tips from our experts: - Look at the words that the child is being asked to learn. If they all are in the same word family or they all sound the same — like cat, sat, bat, mat — it’s phonics-based. If they are just groupings of high-frequency words like of, the, have, that, it’s not a phonics-based program. - Is the child being told to guess? Phonics programs don’t encourage guessing based on the picture or the context. Phonics programs encourage your child to look at the letters and produce their corresponding sounds. - In a good phonics program kids are instructed and directed. They’re not expected to learn to read just because they’re exposed to a lot of books. It takes direct, systematic instruction and intentional practice. - How much are they practicing? With phonics, there has to be lots of repetition. This might include a child learning to decode the word, write the word, and then use the word in a sentence. It’s repetitive but they’re being asked to do the repetition in multiple ways, which reinforces learning. - Effective reading approaches are also often described as “multisensory.” Multisensory phonics-based approaches are designed to reinforce learning by hearing words, seeing them, saying them, writing them in a sentence, even incorporating gestures and movements. - To help kids absorb and be able to apply what they’ve learned, they should be given reading material that contains the phonics patterns they’ve mastered.  Reading materials that are matched to specific phonic lessons are called “decodable” texts. Decodable books are books in which at least 98% of the words contain the phonics patterns that kids have been taught so far. If you know the name of the curriculum your child’s school is using, you can check its rating on the EdReports website, which evaluates reading programs based on their evidence base and effectiveness. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best way to teach kids to read? The best way to teach kids to read is called systematic phonics-based instruction. Learning to read requires several different parts of the brain all working together. When kids are learning to read, they are learning to recognize printed letters and match them to specific sounds. This process is called phonics. Read the full article

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https://youtu.be/6qso73aK8EM I've started up a new YouTube Channel for Your Gift of Life Foundation for Men Please take a look, give me a thumbs up and subscribe. I'll be adding videos frequently and think it will be beneficial to everyone. Enjoy, James Donaldson, Executive Director for Your Gift of Life Foundation Read the full article

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The importance of staying out of shame and blame to allow for hope by Devon Frye We would never tell a child with cancer they weren’t “trying hard enough” if the chemotherapy wasn’t working, yet this language is what children and families I work with often report they hear when their mental health symptoms aren’t improving. Increasingly, they are sharing a loss of hope that their symptoms can improve—no treatment seems to be working, and many feel that providers are discouraged with them. I asked Meri Viano, Assistant Director at the Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) of Massachusetts, if they are hearing similar concerns from families. She answered emphatically yes, sharing a recent PPAL survey where caregivers were asked about mental health stigma. Seventy-three percent of respondents reported feeling that people blame them for poor parenting and 91 percent of parents believed people blame them for their children’s behavior.1 According to the American Psychological Association (APA) mental health stigma creates barriers to healing, contributing to people feeling devalued, dismissed, and dehumanized.2 Some experts even call this a “culture of blame” that imposes a "poisonous and paralyzing power" on mental health care and service delivery.3 Could mental health stigma be confounding our ability to make measurable progress in this mental health crisis? The most recent Youth at Risk Survey (YRBS) indicates that 29 percent of high school students experienced poor mental health during the past 30 days and suicide continues to be the second leading cause of death for those aged 10-14 and 20-24.4,5 Statistics for those in marginalized populations are worse, with 41 percent of LGBTQ youth stating they considered suicide in the past year and suicide rates for Black youth aged 10 to 17 rising 144 percent.6,7 Having sat with caregivers who have lost children to suicide, these statistics are terrifyingly real, yet I had never considered how stigma may be impacting these numbers until my children experienced mental health symptoms (significant OCD, panic disorder, ADHD, sensory issues). Through helping them, I discovered the stigma I never knew I had, learning firsthand the barriers stigma creates. This experience highlighted the importance of being vigilant in assessing the implicit, unconscious biases we may hold, especially those of us who are providers. When we understand, and change, our relationship with stigma, we allow for hope—the belief that healing is possible. Stigmatizing Language The APA suggests that using person-first language, which doesn’t imply blame or shame, is the best practice for combatting stigma.8 We had an amazing team of professionals supporting our family who led with this. The language they used with us was initially collaborative and strength-based. When treatments recommended weren’t working as expected, and my children's symptoms were escalating, this language shifted. When we as professionals feel ineffective and stressed, or reach the limits of our abilities, we may resort to using more stigmatizing language.9 Calls from the school counselor now led with words such as “oppositional,” “defiant,” and “unwilling,” suggesting my child was making a conscious choice to not get better. Questions then came to me as a caregiver, implying I may be the reason my children weren’t improving. Could I shift my parenting? Was I setting enough limits on poor behavior? One provider told me they could no longer help us; my child was not accessing the treatments offered. Shame, and blame, magnified the daily, chronic, stress response I experienced watching my children suffer. Losing hope was terrifying. Shame, according to Dr Brene Brown, can have a similar impact as trauma, and it splintered my relationship with providers.10 (For more on caregiver trauma see my article "The Whole Child"). Treatment Resistance All of this felt oddly familiar: professionals losing hope, my child being seen as being beyond help and me being to blame for their symptoms, like a societal norm I felt pulled to accept. When I came across The Open Minds Survey for Health Providers, developed to assess professional stigma, I began to understand why.11 The survey highlights one of greatest risks of professional stigma, and what providers were communicating to me about my own children: pessimistic views of recovery, or “therapeutic pessimism.”12 Providers are asked if they agree with the following: - “There is little I can do to help people with mental illness.”13 - “More than half of people with mental illness don’t try hard enough to get better”. 14 Therapeutic pessimism perpetuates the belief that some people are beyond our help, even “treatment resistant.” Current research indicates that 20 to 60 percent of patients with psychiatric disorders are treatment-resistant.15 Statistics for major depressive disorder indicate that 30 percent of people suffering are not recovering.16 This societal norm was also a family norm I grew up with. Some loved ones would never recover from their illnesses, instead living lives of chronic symptom management. Stigma and shame meant we didn't talk this about this; we also didn't question it. Self- Stigma Dr. Patrick Corrigan, a leading researcher on stigma, argues that the most effective solution to combating mental health stigma is sharing stories of lived experience.17 My own self-stigma—the negative attitudes, including internalized shame, that we may have as a result of our own mental health issues—had left me trapped and voiceless, unable to counter the shame and blame I perceived coming from professionals.18 I was a Division 1 All-American swimmer when an onset of depression and anxiety forced me to leave my sport and college. For a long time I believed my illness was my fault—had I just tried harder, maybe I would not have lost everything. I saw myself as a failure then—and when my child's symptoms started, I felt like I was now failing as a mother. This resulted in me not exploring pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome/pediatric auto-immune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with strep (PANS/PANDAS) the first time I heard of it. I was desperate to be seen as capable, of complying with provider recommendations. I was less open to exploring a new diagnosis, especially one I hadn't heard of. Six years later, I heard of PANS/PANDAS again from another mother. By this time, one of my children had become so debilitated by their symptoms I had to act. I brought them to their pediatrician where ultimately they met the criteria for PANS/PANDAS. With this new diagnosis, we accessed different treatments: anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. They healed in ways I had never seen before as a social worker. Their OCD abated. Their depression lifted. My children weren't treatment-resistant. Their illness was not my fault, nor was it theirs. Stigma was a blind spot I inherited at a young age, almost as if it was pre-verbal. Changing my relationship with stigma saved my children’s lives and shifted my professional practice forever. #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub A Path Forward At the school I help oversee, we have removed stigmatizing language from our writing and speaking. Descriptive terms such as: “disrespectful,” “lazy,” “attention seeking,” “provocative,” “rude/impolite,” “incapable,” “oppositional,” “manipulative,” and “defiant” are part of an ever growing list on a document we titled “Words We Try Not to Use.” Eliminating blame and shame from our speech naturally lended itself to teaming with our students and caregivers, who then reported feeling seen, heard and validated, sometimes for the first time in years. As a team we became more intellectually curious. If a student isn’t healing, we want to know why. Do they have the correct DSM-5 diagnosis? Did they have a medical rule out as indicated in the DSM-5 differential diagnosis? The more we wondered what might have been missed, the more students began to find healing in ways they previously had not, by accessing new diagnoses, even new treatments. We found students who had missed medical issues (PANS/PANDAS, long COVID, lyme, thyroiditis) causing their mental health symptoms. Watching them heal was a powerful reminder: mental health is medical. Not only can mental health have medical causes, mental health has medical implications. We know childhood trauma correlates to a greater likelihood of chronic health conditions and living with a mental health disorder shortens life expectancy by an average of 14.66 years. 19,20 Everyone is worthy of healing and every life matters. When we get to the edge of our professional abilities, we can not stop searching for answers. Patient and caregiver blame are not evidence based treatment modalities, they only separate us from those who need us most. Acknowledging our own stigma allows us to become allies for those suffering, offering for hope to change the trajectory of this crisis. Read the full article

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I've started up a new YouTube video for Your Gift of Life Foundation for Men. Please like it, subscribe as well. I'll be adding videos on a regular basis. Enjoy. James Donaldson, Executive Director Your Gift of Life Foundation Read the full article

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Social media company On The Tools found that 73% of the UK's 2.1 million construction workers have been affected by mental illness. In the last decade 7,000 have taken their own lives Photo by Yury Kim on Pexels.com Lisa Dowd James Reeves contemplated suicide after an accident and having his tools stolen Construction workers are four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average, making it one of the deadliest professions for mental health problems in the UK, according to a new report. Social media company On The Tools, the UK's largest community of tradespeople, has found that 73% of the country's 2.1 million construction workers have been affected by mental illness. In the last decade, 7,000 have taken their own lives. "If doctors or teachers were seeing those rates of suicide in any other industry, I think there would be a national outcry", said Alice Brookes, the company's brand manager. "But because it's construction, I think people don't necessarily have the best perception of tradespeople, it's being ignored. #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Link for 40 Habits Signupbit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth If you'd like to follow and receive my daily blog in to your inbox, just click on it with Follow It. Here's the link https://follow.it/james-donaldson-s-standing-above-the-crowd-s-blog-a-view-from-above-on-things-that-make-the-world-go-round?action=followPub These suicide rates in any other industry would cause a national outcry,' says Alice Brookes "When four times the number of people are dying by suicide - who will build our hospitals, who will build our schools, maintain our roads and infrastructure?" The company is trying to raise £2.5m to fund counselling for workers in the industry. James Reeves, 33, who runs Royal Spa Decoration in Leamington Spa, told Sky News how he had contemplated suicide after suffering injuries to his back and pelvis in an accident while painting and decorating, then had his tools, worth £2,500 stolen. For a long time taking my own life consumed my every waking thought' Mr Reeves injured his back and pelvis in an accident while painting and decorating "One of the worst pressures was financial", James explained. "I had guys working for me on payroll, I had to earn a certain amount to make a profit every month, you can imagine if you're off work for three months and unable to meet those numbers, meet those deadlines it doesn't take long before you find yourself in a hole financially. "For me personally I just felt like a failure to everyone around me and the only way out was to kind of disappear." James continued: "For a long time taking my own life consumed my every waking thought and for a long time I woke up thinking that was going to be the day I took my own life. It did take quite a while to get out of that place, but I was lucky in that I got out, whereas a lot of other people aren't that fortunate." The report also found that work absences related to mental illness are costing the industry £2.7bn a year. Ms Brookes added: "When you start factoring in isolation - a lot of workers in this industry lone work or are self-employed and there is that feeling of isolation and loneliness. "Then you add financial pressures, then industry pressures such as tool theft - we found 68% of tradespeople worry daily about tool theft which shows those wider pressures are affecting those in the trade." Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK. Photo by Yury Kim on Pexels.com Read the full article